The long-awaited film adaptation of Wattpad’s historical-romance hit I Love You Since 1892 is finally moving forward, but not with the on-screen tandem many fans had long envisioned.
Last week, Viva One officially announced that Heaven Peralejo and Jerome Ponce will be taking the roles of Carmela and Juanito, respectively. This sparked disappointment among loyal fans across social media platforms. Fans of the original Wattpad story were quick to express heartbreak, with many saying the roles should have gone to Janella Salvador and Marlo Mortel, collectively known as MarNella.
For years, MarNella had been closely linked to the novel—from the cover of the book to the music video produced by Marlo himself—the pair were unofficially associated with the project, fueling fan expectations that they were the author’s top and only choice.
That belief was confirmed by none other than Mia Alfonso, the Wattpad author behind the story, who once publicly stated that only Marlo and Janella could portray her beloved characters. Netizens quickly resurfaced screenshots and quotes from her past posts, expressing confusion and betrayal over the recasting.
Some fans have redirected their disappointment toward Alfonso herself, questioning why she allowed or supported the casting change after years of aligning the book’s identity with the original tandem. The recasting also sparked backlash because of the emotional investment many fans had placed in MarNella over the years.
Alfonso has since urged fans to support the new leads, saying the film will still reflect the same heart of the story. But many readers remain unconvinced, pointing to years of buildup around MarNella that they now feel has gone to waste.
As of now, neither Janella nor Marlo has issued a public statement reacting to the new cast reveal. Marlo did confirm on Instagram earlier this month that he would not be involved in the project.
